What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lord of Dreams
When a fairy king grants a human wish, there's more at stake than dreams. Claire Delaney has a good life, despite her adolescent angst. But she wants more. In a moment of frustration, she wishes to be "the hero." What she actually wants is to be the center of attention, but what she gets is a terrifying Fae king demanding that she rescue an imprisoned fairy, facing fantastical dangers and hardships she could not have imagined. Yet the dreams--and the rescue--are only the beginning of her journey. She is at the center of the king's audacious gamble to end the war that has raged in Faerie for half a century.
364 pages, Paperback
First published March 12, 2017
About the author
C.J. Brightley
28 books255 followersC. J. Brightley lives outside Washington, D.C., with her husband and their two young children. When she's not busy writing, she teaches karate, bakes too many desserts, and makes jewelry. She loves to connect with readers!
Follow C. J. Brightley at https://www.facebook.com/CJBrightley and https://www.instagram.com/cjbrightley/
Follow C. J. Brightley at https://www.facebook.com/CJBrightley and https://www.instagram.com/cjbrightley/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 12, 2017
What would you do to be a hero?
Is it worth it?
•So far it reminds me of The Labyrinth in that the atmosphere feels soft, like a dream, but intriguing because it's a little strange.
Yay (so far)!
•(Near middle): This is....beautiful, but also confusing. The characters have a complex dynamic, but while they have their moments of hard work, they also show a bit of their flaws. I enjoyed this truly, but much of their development, or what could be taken as such, is muddled by the storyline itself.
•I did love the plot twist (I guessed a bit of it, but not all of it), but sometimes the story seemed to not fit together. It was like the story was planned out, then pieces were taken out to make a more ambiguous beginning. That was successful, but as a result, the pieces didn't fit together as they could have.
•Gosh darn this writing was so magical and smooth. It was like a delicious smoothie, the way I glided across the page, eager to eat more more up. There was little to no moment where I had to re-read a paragraph or couldn't see what was going on imagery-wise in my mind's eye. This was wonderful to read to just read.
•Wow. This was definitely a unique world. While, yes, there was Fae, the way the Fae was used, their magic, and other creatures throughout were quite unique and bizarre. I quite liked that aspect. Thus, if there is perhaps another story set in this world, I'm quite curious to see more creatures, further world building, and more characters in certain I'll enjoy reading about!
•The time travel aspect was one of the things it took me a while to get ahold of. Some chapters I believed to be the present were of the past and vise versa. However, the aspect itself was truly wonderful to read about. The present mixed with the past causing a strange, but somehow satisfying paradox. I do love time travel when there's a hint of tragedy. I'm not quite sure why, but it makes me happy ironically.
•One thing I reaaaaaalllllyyyyy want answered. HOW do you pronounce Tuathal? The name sounds like Tu-ath-al, yes?
*Spoiler start*
The ending reminded me of Beauty and the Beast and that gave me a nostalgic feeling in the pit of my heart.
*Spoiler end*
This was an adventure of magic and mayhem, a bit of light and dark within us all, and the power of wishes/wants that show us how far we can go if we try.
I received a copy of this ebook in exchange for a fair/honest review.
4 fairly fearsome stars!
Is it worth it?
•So far it reminds me of The Labyrinth in that the atmosphere feels soft, like a dream, but intriguing because it's a little strange.
Yay (so far)!
•(Near middle): This is....beautiful, but also confusing. The characters have a complex dynamic, but while they have their moments of hard work, they also show a bit of their flaws. I enjoyed this truly, but much of their development, or what could be taken as such, is muddled by the storyline itself.
•I did love the plot twist (I guessed a bit of it, but not all of it), but sometimes the story seemed to not fit together. It was like the story was planned out, then pieces were taken out to make a more ambiguous beginning. That was successful, but as a result, the pieces didn't fit together as they could have.
•Gosh darn this writing was so magical and smooth. It was like a delicious smoothie, the way I glided across the page, eager to eat more more up. There was little to no moment where I had to re-read a paragraph or couldn't see what was going on imagery-wise in my mind's eye. This was wonderful to read to just read.
•Wow. This was definitely a unique world. While, yes, there was Fae, the way the Fae was used, their magic, and other creatures throughout were quite unique and bizarre. I quite liked that aspect. Thus, if there is perhaps another story set in this world, I'm quite curious to see more creatures, further world building, and more characters in certain I'll enjoy reading about!
•The time travel aspect was one of the things it took me a while to get ahold of. Some chapters I believed to be the present were of the past and vise versa. However, the aspect itself was truly wonderful to read about. The present mixed with the past causing a strange, but somehow satisfying paradox. I do love time travel when there's a hint of tragedy. I'm not quite sure why, but it makes me happy ironically.
•One thing I reaaaaaalllllyyyyy want answered. HOW do you pronounce Tuathal? The name sounds like Tu-ath-al, yes?
*Spoiler start*
The ending reminded me of Beauty and the Beast and that gave me a nostalgic feeling in the pit of my heart.
*Spoiler end*
This was an adventure of magic and mayhem, a bit of light and dark within us all, and the power of wishes/wants that show us how far we can go if we try.
I received a copy of this ebook in exchange for a fair/honest review.
4 fairly fearsome stars!
Read
September 27, 2017This full review can be viewed on my blog along with others at: She's Going Book Crazy
DNFing at 35%
I've struggled with wanting to stop reading this book, and finishing it too many times. For now, I'm calling it quits.
I would like to like this book, but I feel myself working too hard at it. That doesn't mean I won't try to reread it again, later. I just can't seem to connect with anything.
I think the premise is fantastic, and I like that faeries aren't seen in the "O-so-popular friendly faerie" style. They match more the descriptions of old---where faeries were tricksters and not to be trusted.
The writing style is somewhat jumbled, and doesn't make for the smoothest read (in my opinion.) The story jumps over the course of several years, and I felt that in doing so, it left a lot out. What about those in-between times? What was Claire up to? How did she recover from her first interaction with Fairyland and the Fairy King?
The story revolves around Claire, a girl who at different times in her life, makes a wish---and the Fairy King makes it come true. However, the wish and its outcome altered her life as she knew it, and how she saw those around her.
So he makes her a hero. In doing so, he becomes the villain. Why? I didn't get that far to find out.
For now, I'm putting this book down. I hope the next time I pick it up, it will go better.
2 stars
DNFing at 35%
I've struggled with wanting to stop reading this book, and finishing it too many times. For now, I'm calling it quits.
I would like to like this book, but I feel myself working too hard at it. That doesn't mean I won't try to reread it again, later. I just can't seem to connect with anything.
I think the premise is fantastic, and I like that faeries aren't seen in the "O-so-popular friendly faerie" style. They match more the descriptions of old---where faeries were tricksters and not to be trusted.
The writing style is somewhat jumbled, and doesn't make for the smoothest read (in my opinion.) The story jumps over the course of several years, and I felt that in doing so, it left a lot out. What about those in-between times? What was Claire up to? How did she recover from her first interaction with Fairyland and the Fairy King?
The story revolves around Claire, a girl who at different times in her life, makes a wish---and the Fairy King makes it come true. However, the wish and its outcome altered her life as she knew it, and how she saw those around her.
I wish I could be the hero.
So he makes her a hero. In doing so, he becomes the villain. Why? I didn't get that far to find out.
For now, I'm putting this book down. I hope the next time I pick it up, it will go better.
2 stars
March 7, 2017
The Lord of Dreams, is a gorgeously written tale about a girl who finds herself transported into Fairyland, tasked with rescuing a prisoner hidden deep in the sparkling, dangerous world of the Fae.
Unlike so many books where the fae are very human, in Brightley's book they are foreign, magical creatures that live in a world that is so different than our own - a world where time and distance isn't quite as important as things like intentions and dreams.
The story is filled with wonder, beautiful but menacing creatures, and always shadowed by the mesmerizing Lord of Dreams.
Unlike so many books where the fae are very human, in Brightley's book they are foreign, magical creatures that live in a world that is so different than our own - a world where time and distance isn't quite as important as things like intentions and dreams.
The story is filled with wonder, beautiful but menacing creatures, and always shadowed by the mesmerizing Lord of Dreams.
January 4, 2026
4.5 stars — The beginning was rough, as I didn't really connect that well to Claire. But once we got further into the book and started learning more about the faery lands and the Faery King, and Claire started being more proactive and unraveling mysteries and all that, I got way more into it and legitimately couldn't put it down. By the end, I knew EXACTLY why so many people I know raved about it. Of course, the fact that it included some of my favorite tropes helped . . . I definitely recommend this one. Stick with it, and you won't be disappointed.
January 9, 2018
I really enjoyed the style of this. The way it takes the shifting nature of a dreamscape and just runs with it is probably the strongest element of this book. I can see if you aren't the sort of person who has vivid dreams or if you don't remember your dreams, that could come across as a little confusing, but as is, it comes across as weirdly realistic considering the material/setting.
The story has a nice mix of magic and mystery and involves a lot of different faerie creatures. There's some very creative magic and ways that the magic has to be used or thwarted, which kept me entertained, and I liked the two main characters (the King who is not really all there for most of the book and the MC, Claire, who is dealing with him and understandably frustrated.).
A few small quibbles I had didn't really take away from the book, but they befuddled me enough to be mentioned: towards the end of the book there is a lot of talk about how far the main character has come and how selfish she used to be ... I never really got that she was all that bad. Yes, she did grow, but the person she was at the beginning of the book seemed to be reacting like most normal humans would be in her situation. Every time someone talked about how "selfish" she used to be, I didn't quite get it. Maybe because I'm a little more tolerant of human frailty than the average reader? I mean, if a book gives me a whiny, selfish, unlikable protagonist, I will totally stop reading, so I don't think I'm that accepting of it, but yeah, to me Claire was never really that bad of person.
For instance, at the beginning she's a sixteen-year-old girl who comes home to an empty house on her birthday and finds her parents have not only left her alone for a business dinner on her birthday (which is uncool) and they also only left her with frozen meatloaf to microwave (which she dislikes. I mean, come on, if you really can't be there for a kid on her birthday, at least leave her twenty bucks to order pizza and maybe a cupcake?), but towards the end we're supposed to feel that Claire has grown away from her selfishness to learn to appreciate her family more, not the other way around?
Which leads to my second quibble: this would've been a better book if the family didn't exist. It's a minor quibble because they are barely in the story at all, but it is very rare that I get through a book and think, "This would've been more interesting if the MC were an orphan," and this one did that. The family isn't given enough time on the page for us to be interested in them (which I liked because I wanted to focus on Claire, the King, and cool fairy magic), but because they exist we get an extra layer of denouement where the character has to deal with the fact that they do exist before we can get to the real ending. Though in the end, that was only like a chapter.
The story has a nice mix of magic and mystery and involves a lot of different faerie creatures. There's some very creative magic and ways that the magic has to be used or thwarted, which kept me entertained, and I liked the two main characters (the King who is not really all there for most of the book and the MC, Claire, who is dealing with him and understandably frustrated.).
A few small quibbles I had didn't really take away from the book, but they befuddled me enough to be mentioned: towards the end of the book there is a lot of talk about how far the main character has come and how selfish she used to be ... I never really got that she was all that bad. Yes, she did grow, but the person she was at the beginning of the book seemed to be reacting like most normal humans would be in her situation. Every time someone talked about how "selfish" she used to be, I didn't quite get it. Maybe because I'm a little more tolerant of human frailty than the average reader? I mean, if a book gives me a whiny, selfish, unlikable protagonist, I will totally stop reading, so I don't think I'm that accepting of it, but yeah, to me Claire was never really that bad of person.
For instance, at the beginning she's a sixteen-year-old girl who comes home to an empty house on her birthday and finds her parents have not only left her alone for a business dinner on her birthday (which is uncool) and they also only left her with frozen meatloaf to microwave (which she dislikes. I mean, come on, if you really can't be there for a kid on her birthday, at least leave her twenty bucks to order pizza and maybe a cupcake?), but towards the end we're supposed to feel that Claire has grown away from her selfishness to learn to appreciate her family more, not the other way around?
Which leads to my second quibble: this would've been a better book if the family didn't exist. It's a minor quibble because they are barely in the story at all, but it is very rare that I get through a book and think, "This would've been more interesting if the MC were an orphan," and this one did that. The family isn't given enough time on the page for us to be interested in them (which I liked because I wanted to focus on Claire, the King, and cool fairy magic), but because they exist we get an extra layer of denouement where the character has to deal with the fact that they do exist before we can get to the real ending. Though in the end, that was only like a chapter.
June 26, 2024
I genuinely enjoyed this book. It piqued my interest because I was told it was loosely inspired by Jim Henson’s “Labyrinth” movie (famously staring David Bowie). I was pleased to see that the Labyrinth influence was a subtle bit of flavor at the beginning (and if you’ve never seen the 80s film you will not miss anything important), and the story became its own, original tale beyond that.
While the plot was meant to be dream-like in places and the Fae world purposely topsy-turvy, Brightley’s narrative skill prevented the tale from devolving into confusion. Threads introduced in early scenes are skillfully brought back into play later in unpredictable ways. It remained interesting throughout and kept me guessing. Great read.
While the plot was meant to be dream-like in places and the Fae world purposely topsy-turvy, Brightley’s narrative skill prevented the tale from devolving into confusion. Threads introduced in early scenes are skillfully brought back into play later in unpredictable ways. It remained interesting throughout and kept me guessing. Great read.
September 13, 2017
I very rarely give 5 stars for books, but in this instance I felt it was completely justified. C.J.Brightly has managed to transcribe his imagination beautifully in this novel. His creative thinking engaged me from the beginning until the very last word of the story. I found it had several different layers which I had to peel away one at a time, ingest it before carrying on to the next, otherwise you could get a little lost, not because it's to complex, as it is a very well defined story, but because you should feel and absorb what's going on around you to get the entirety of the journey being told. This isn't a story that typically involves the fae as the fluffy beautiful people who you want to be whisked away with. The only common trait is the mysterious, trickster personality, the same goes for the fairies, they are defiantly not all sparkly and wand waving. The story was told in the first person of each character, which personally I prefer. To me I felt the characters emotions and reactions very easily. I could see in my minds eye the plots and felt like I was a fly on a wall, waiting and listening, you could hear a pin drop. I felt each heartbeat, each anxious or fearful moment, each tear that fell, but also alongside the mystery I felt each strength, courageous, heart stopping moment. This is not a frivolous journey, this novel needs absorbing, each character whether main or on the sidelines, needs understanding, as they all have their part to play. I feel it's not a story to be rushed, once you start it will be hard to put down. Yes it is a fantasy novel, but so much more augmented. To me it's almost like a work of art which we will all find objective. Personally I found it thought provoking story and enjoyed it immensely. It has definitely put the author C.J.Brightley on my radar and look forward to exploring his other novels.
February 2, 2018
The Lord of Dreams started out, at least for me, feeling a lot like my all time favorite movie: Labyrinth. I couldn't help but seeing the little worm saying, "Don't go that way. You never go that way. If she would have gone that way, she would have gone straight to that castle."
(Yes, I did pop it in my DVD player and watch it again, you know, because IT'S THE BEST MOVIE EVER)
Ok, back to the book...Claire, since a young girl, dreams about a man she knows as 'the villain' or the 'nightmare king.' He puts her through a couple of quests that honestly are pretty lame. Instead of them being challenging at all, she seems to waltz right in, and even though she has no idea about anything she's doing, just so happens to preform wonderfully and solve the great puzzle easily. To be honest, it was a bit off-putting, because as an author myself, I kept thinking, "There's so much more we could have experienced here!"
Then, the story developed into a tail that had me smacking myself for being so harsh so early on. Of course the challenges were easy. There is a reason for that. Gah! I totally fell for it! I don't want to spoil it for you, but seriously...there ARE reasons.
So for that, I give the book a great rating because I was no better at seeing anything than the MC was!
Oh, and there's that part of me as a child that wished things turned out different with Jereth (David Bowie) at the end of the movie. For making MY dreams come true, I thank you C.J. Brightley.
(Yes, I did pop it in my DVD player and watch it again, you know, because IT'S THE BEST MOVIE EVER)
Ok, back to the book...Claire, since a young girl, dreams about a man she knows as 'the villain' or the 'nightmare king.' He puts her through a couple of quests that honestly are pretty lame. Instead of them being challenging at all, she seems to waltz right in, and even though she has no idea about anything she's doing, just so happens to preform wonderfully and solve the great puzzle easily. To be honest, it was a bit off-putting, because as an author myself, I kept thinking, "There's so much more we could have experienced here!"
Then, the story developed into a tail that had me smacking myself for being so harsh so early on. Of course the challenges were easy. There is a reason for that. Gah! I totally fell for it! I don't want to spoil it for you, but seriously...there ARE reasons.
So for that, I give the book a great rating because I was no better at seeing anything than the MC was!
Oh, and there's that part of me as a child that wished things turned out different with Jereth (David Bowie) at the end of the movie. For making MY dreams come true, I thank you C.J. Brightley.
January 15, 2018
This was... stunning. I loved how the story wove through Time and Dream and Space, how everything was connected and disconnected at the same time until I got to the end. There were a few places where I felt lost, but they were resolved by the end of the book (and I have the comfortable suspicion that was not the end of the story, because it never really is, you know?)
The characters were beautifully formed and expressed, the storyline and narrative had my heart racing and overall the book kept me reading until I fell asleep holding my tablet on two different occasions.
5 stars, recommended 12+
The characters were beautifully formed and expressed, the storyline and narrative had my heart racing and overall the book kept me reading until I fell asleep holding my tablet on two different occasions.
5 stars, recommended 12+
Read
September 6, 2019I loved this book!! It's an adult version of Labyrinth - that's the best way to describe it. If you liked Labyrinth, you'll like this book! C.J. Brightley definitely has a way with words, quite lyrical.
Clare is a young girl who dreams about faerie, and about being a hero. One day an Elven King shows up in her dreams and invites her on an adventure. The Elven King's description fits David Bowie's Jared to the letter, really! Clare must release an Elven boy from a prison in the castle. After this adventure she wakes up.
Years later she finds herself back in Faerie this time having to rescue the Elven King himself.
Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this; the narrator's voice was lovely.
Clare is a young girl who dreams about faerie, and about being a hero. One day an Elven King shows up in her dreams and invites her on an adventure. The Elven King's description fits David Bowie's Jared to the letter, really! Clare must release an Elven boy from a prison in the castle. After this adventure she wakes up.
Years later she finds herself back in Faerie this time having to rescue the Elven King himself.
Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this; the narrator's voice was lovely.
February 26, 2018
It took me a while to sift through this story. It had a touch of an Alice Through the Looking Glass feel to it, with a dash of a rogue Narnia, and a darker version of The Tethered World mashed together, but still completely unlike any of them. It was sometimes confusing switching back and forth between the reality to dream state, and vice a versa. I had some trouble keeping up with some scenes, and some characters were challenging to solidly imagine, but I was so intrigued to KEEP GOING. I am so glad I did. That ending!
I received a complimentary copy of this story. This review is completely my own opinion!
I received a complimentary copy of this story. This review is completely my own opinion!
January 9, 2019
I had seen this book likened to The Labyrinth, but otherwise I went in with very few expectations of where it would go. I'll admit at first it seemed like a girl's random adventures in Faerie, but I'm so glad I kept going because it turned into so much more! My full review can be found here: http://www.landsuncharted.com/2019/01...
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
August 18, 2019
This is an amazing story that captivates you right from the start with its unusual storyline and appealing characters. A beautifully captivating story that transports you to a world of dreams, danger, fantasy, hope, longing and romance, while still being wrapped in reality. The narrator was amazing and suited the story superbly. The smooth, slightly seductive voice she used for the Seelie King created just the right images in your mind. One of strife, need, intrigue, beauty and magic. I loved every minute of it.
January 20, 2018
What a very strange book.
The first few chapters were very hard to read because of the whiplash of switching between the real world and the fairy world. And then we leap forward years in time, going from child Claire to Teen Claire to Adult Claire, with important but disconnected incidents happening at each point.
Once Adult Claire gets to the fairy world and starts trying to rescue the fairy king, things get slightly more coherent. She's still ducking in and out of the dream world, but it's always the same dream world, and that helps it not be so bonkers. The book uses that extreme, literal logic that I got used to with Diana Wynne Jones. Each word the king says means literally what it says. And every word that Claire says means literally what it says. Read carefully.
The story is emotionally satisfying, and Claire does, indeed, become the hero she wanted to be. Although maybe not quite in the way she expected.
If you're a fan of the dreamlike, non-sequitur way that Alice in Wonderland reads, you'll enjoy this book.
The first few chapters were very hard to read because of the whiplash of switching between the real world and the fairy world. And then we leap forward years in time, going from child Claire to Teen Claire to Adult Claire, with important but disconnected incidents happening at each point.
Once Adult Claire gets to the fairy world and starts trying to rescue the fairy king, things get slightly more coherent. She's still ducking in and out of the dream world, but it's always the same dream world, and that helps it not be so bonkers. The book uses that extreme, literal logic that I got used to with Diana Wynne Jones. Each word the king says means literally what it says. And every word that Claire says means literally what it says. Read carefully.
The story is emotionally satisfying, and Claire does, indeed, become the hero she wanted to be. Although maybe not quite in the way she expected.
If you're a fan of the dreamlike, non-sequitur way that Alice in Wonderland reads, you'll enjoy this book.
March 24, 2022
Riveting and addictive, with a complex and captivating storyline reminiscent of the works of W.R. Gingell that will leive you questioning until the last and most satisfying page.
The character growth in this novel is truly marvelous. We see our heroine grow from a selfish, self-centered child into a bold and courageous young woman worthy of the title of "Iron Queen".
I love its fast-moving plot, but the true beauty of the novel is how real and relatable the characters feel.
The character growth in this novel is truly marvelous. We see our heroine grow from a selfish, self-centered child into a bold and courageous young woman worthy of the title of "Iron Queen".
I love its fast-moving plot, but the true beauty of the novel is how real and relatable the characters feel.
January 20, 2018
Lord of Dreams by C.J. Brightly, is a trippy romp through the land of Farie.
If you are a fan of surreal fiction, think Alice in wonderland or the Labrynth movie, then you will probably enjoy this book.
If you prefer you plots explained point by as they happen with a strict adherence to the natural laws of physics then avoid this book. In fact just avoid fiction while your at it..
A note of interest, the author is giving away an extra chapter to this book when you sign up for her email list. I highly recommend taking advantage of this offer. While the extra chapter is not necessary to enjoying the book, it is entertaining and super satisfying to read.
If you are a fan of surreal fiction, think Alice in wonderland or the Labrynth movie, then you will probably enjoy this book.
If you prefer you plots explained point by as they happen with a strict adherence to the natural laws of physics then avoid this book. In fact just avoid fiction while your at it..
A note of interest, the author is giving away an extra chapter to this book when you sign up for her email list. I highly recommend taking advantage of this offer. While the extra chapter is not necessary to enjoying the book, it is entertaining and super satisfying to read.
January 17, 2018
I have read many books featuring faires/ the fae and this may be one of my favorites. This story features faires in a realm which is very different than the human realm. The rules of time and space are fluid. The realm and its inhabitants are mysterious, beautiful, and often terrifying. This is a realm I would love to read more of in future stories.
The characters were also great. I loved seeing Claire, the main character, grow and change as the story progressed. I enjoyed seeing the world and the fairy king through her eyes and figuring out what was happening as she did. The Lord of Dreams himself was also very memorable. As Claire learned more about and uncovered different parts of him, so did I and found he was not what I expected.
If you like books with faires and are interested in stories that are unpredictable, I recommend this book.
The characters were also great. I loved seeing Claire, the main character, grow and change as the story progressed. I enjoyed seeing the world and the fairy king through her eyes and figuring out what was happening as she did. The Lord of Dreams himself was also very memorable. As Claire learned more about and uncovered different parts of him, so did I and found he was not what I expected.
If you like books with faires and are interested in stories that are unpredictable, I recommend this book.
March 10, 2017
This book is awesome, it paints the world of Fairy in a way that grabs you and keeps you wanting to know more. Claire starts her journey by wishing to be a hero and little does she know what that is going to entail.
As you wonder who or what is going on, you do not know any more than Claire does. As she learns things, so do you. It is very frustrating for her to keep forgetting and being distracted at the point when she remembers. She gets upset with the characters in Fairy who talk in riddles and never really answer her questions. But it keeps her (and you as the reader) wanting to know more so you continue even without knowing hoping to find the answer. It was fun to see Loki/Silvertongue appear for a short period.
Toward the end of the story, you start to get hints at things and even though Claire forgets, the reader does not. But the Author cleverly puts together a story that keeps you wanting to know what is going to happen and how will it happen. No spoilers, but if you want to read a story that is rich in all of the ways that keeps a reader engaged, this one is for you. Most of your questions will be answered at the end but not a minute before they should be answered. She created a very real and creative version of the Seelie and Unseelie that will keep you engaged until the end.
As you wonder who or what is going on, you do not know any more than Claire does. As she learns things, so do you. It is very frustrating for her to keep forgetting and being distracted at the point when she remembers. She gets upset with the characters in Fairy who talk in riddles and never really answer her questions. But it keeps her (and you as the reader) wanting to know more so you continue even without knowing hoping to find the answer. It was fun to see Loki/Silvertongue appear for a short period.
Toward the end of the story, you start to get hints at things and even though Claire forgets, the reader does not. But the Author cleverly puts together a story that keeps you wanting to know what is going to happen and how will it happen. No spoilers, but if you want to read a story that is rich in all of the ways that keeps a reader engaged, this one is for you. Most of your questions will be answered at the end but not a minute before they should be answered. She created a very real and creative version of the Seelie and Unseelie that will keep you engaged until the end.
December 3, 2019
Hero story in Fae world
This story started out a little slow and confusing for me but I think that was intentional on the part of the author. Claire herself was confused as to what was going on. Once I got further into the story, I was hooked and couldn't put the book down. My confusion turned to curiosity as to what would happen next.
All though out the story, I found the characters to be very interesting with the Fae King being my favorite character.
As an added bonus, I really enjoyed the noblebright aspects of the story where Claire and the King were grappling with what it means to be a hero. These conversations added wonderful depth to an entertaining fantasy story.
My only disappointment when the story ended was that there was not a book two. The bonus chapter was delightful and I am so glad the author wrote it but I want more please! I hope that the author will write more about these characters and their relationships and further adventures.
Sex - none
Language - none
Violence - there is quite a bit of fighting, also pain/torture deliberately inflicted on characters although it is not graphically described
Religion - none
This story started out a little slow and confusing for me but I think that was intentional on the part of the author. Claire herself was confused as to what was going on. Once I got further into the story, I was hooked and couldn't put the book down. My confusion turned to curiosity as to what would happen next.
All though out the story, I found the characters to be very interesting with the Fae King being my favorite character.
As an added bonus, I really enjoyed the noblebright aspects of the story where Claire and the King were grappling with what it means to be a hero. These conversations added wonderful depth to an entertaining fantasy story.
My only disappointment when the story ended was that there was not a book two. The bonus chapter was delightful and I am so glad the author wrote it but I want more please! I hope that the author will write more about these characters and their relationships and further adventures.
Sex - none
Language - none
Violence - there is quite a bit of fighting, also pain/torture deliberately inflicted on characters although it is not graphically described
Religion - none
February 24, 2017
I've really enjoyed all of C. J. Brightley's writing so far, so I was delighted to be offered the chance to read this in advance of publication. The Lord of Dreams did not disappoint. It drew me in from the very beginning, and kept me involved to the very end.
In form and inspiration this book owes a lot to Lewis Carroll, and to all those traditional stories of faerie, rather than to the newer traditions of fae who are mostly just humans plus a lot of power. These faeries inhabit a dreamscape, where symbol and intent trump physics, and time is anything but linear. Trusting your senses is a bad idea -- but what other option is there? Especially when emotions can be manipulated just as easily ...
Brightley's characters are beautifully drawn, her plotting (while deliberately confusing to the reader) is deftly handled, and her writing is clear. It has not quite the whimsy of Carroll, or the rich texture of Rothfuss, but there are moments of poetry, and mercifully, there are no failures of grammar or vocabulary, which happen all too often in otherwise good books these days.
In form and inspiration this book owes a lot to Lewis Carroll, and to all those traditional stories of faerie, rather than to the newer traditions of fae who are mostly just humans plus a lot of power. These faeries inhabit a dreamscape, where symbol and intent trump physics, and time is anything but linear. Trusting your senses is a bad idea -- but what other option is there? Especially when emotions can be manipulated just as easily ...
Brightley's characters are beautifully drawn, her plotting (while deliberately confusing to the reader) is deftly handled, and her writing is clear. It has not quite the whimsy of Carroll, or the rich texture of Rothfuss, but there are moments of poetry, and mercifully, there are no failures of grammar or vocabulary, which happen all too often in otherwise good books these days.
June 1, 2021
Chaotic and lovely
This story is like a puzzle. With each chapter, we are given one more puzzle piece, gain one more part of the larger picture. At first we understand very little, but it unfolds, slowly, naturally, until we see everything. It's subtle and clever and I enjoyed it immensely. Claire's growth was satisfying, and the king is a fascinating character to peel back, layer after layer.
This story is like a puzzle. With each chapter, we are given one more puzzle piece, gain one more part of the larger picture. At first we understand very little, but it unfolds, slowly, naturally, until we see everything. It's subtle and clever and I enjoyed it immensely. Claire's growth was satisfying, and the king is a fascinating character to peel back, layer after layer.
February 24, 2023
At first it reminded me of "Alice in Wonderland" or "Through the Looking Glass" in it's dreamlike happenings, but contained much more of a story line. The scenes are disjointed, and there is so much unknown involved I can imagine that the style of storytelling would throw off some readers. I found it like a puzzle and could hardly put it down.
Romance for 19 and up.
The second listening was quite enjoyable for me. Having a better understanding of the backstory and story structure, I was able to focus more on what was actually happening and better appreciate the desperation and daring of the king.
I went ahead and purchased my own copy of this book. I look forward to studying Claire's character development next time around, and identifying all the poetry the king quotes.
Romance for 19 and up.
The second listening was quite enjoyable for me. Having a better understanding of the backstory and story structure, I was able to focus more on what was actually happening and better appreciate the desperation and daring of the king.
I went ahead and purchased my own copy of this book. I look forward to studying Claire's character development next time around, and identifying all the poetry the king quotes.
March 8, 2017
Magic and creatures and the opportunity to be the hero. I had no idea what age group this was intended for, and at first I thought it was for a younger audience. Then, all of the genius writing and the eventual developed romance (in which I said, "I knew it!"), I realized this could be for a variety of readers, not just middle-schoolers (although I would have loved it if I'd have read it then!). I would definitely read this book again and recommend it to friends.
April 8, 2017
Experience the adventure
This is so well written you truly can't anticipate what to expect along the way or how it might end. Until the mad king explains the back story and the ways this story could have turned out depending upon Claire's many choices, you have no idea how much power she has. The story is so detailed that you need to relax and enjoy. The conversations are extensive and the banter between the characters engaging. Just a wonderful read.
This is so well written you truly can't anticipate what to expect along the way or how it might end. Until the mad king explains the back story and the ways this story could have turned out depending upon Claire's many choices, you have no idea how much power she has. The story is so detailed that you need to relax and enjoy. The conversations are extensive and the banter between the characters engaging. Just a wonderful read.
June 23, 2019
There is a certain magic to dreams, as well as confusion and disorientation. The Lord of Dreams captures this feeling well with its fantastical and romantic story about an alternate magical world and the dreams that bring the worlds together in one special girl.
This story is appropriate for both adults and children.
The narrator does a nice job bringing the story to life.
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This story is appropriate for both adults and children.
The narrator does a nice job bringing the story to life.
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. This is my honest and voluntary review.
June 30, 2018
Be careful what you wish for, as you will surely get it.
Claire Delaney, normal American teenager, wishes she could be a hero. She is immediately snatched out of her bedroom by a delightfully dangerous figure, transported into the world of the fae, and sent on a mission to rescue an imprisoned fairy. In the next few chapters of The Lord of Dreams, we follow the disoriented Claire as she wanders randomly through a kaleidoscopic and strangely barren dreamscape. Nothing makes much sense; the fae king who sends her into this world calls himself her villain and the other few characters she interacts with seem determined to insult her and avoid telling her anything useful. She does eventually find and rescue the fairy, without understanding who he is or why he was imprisoned.
I struggled with that bit, the first 20% or so of the book. I didn’t like not understanding what was going on, and it annoyed me that Claire never stopped to ask herself why she should obey the fae king’s order if he was the villain. She seemed passive, letting herself be pushed around and not thinking things through. I was about to toss the book on the Did Not Finish pile, when things changed. For a few chapters the story bounces back and forth between strange dreams and normal life. Claire grows up and is in grad school when the fae come to her again, asking for her help. They are at war, their king—the nightmare figure from her dreams—has been captured, and he had predicted that she would be the one to rescue him.
From then on, the story’s focus is more clear, and I devoured the rest of the book in one Sunday afternoon and evening. It’s a nice combination of heroic quest, self-discovery, and gentle romance set in the world of the Seelie and Unseelie from the folklore of the British Isles.
Claire improves, acting with more agency, learning to ask the right questions, and overcoming her initial prejudice against the fae king. By a third of the way through, I had also learned to roll with unanswered questions. I did eventually get answers, but some of them were a long time coming. That was OK, as the gist of the story was about Claire making sense of this strange world she’s been thrown into, and understanding the full import of the breathtaking gamble the king has made. If we’re not a bit disoriented, too, how can we appreciate the mental leaps she has to make?
The story was not entirely successful. In particular, Claire’s relationship with her family was unsatisfying. I wish that plot thread had either been given more attention or dropped. Concern over the deprivations she was suffering from being unable to eat or drink anything in the world of the fae kept pulling me out of the story, too. In Chapter 4 she’s about to collapse from dehydration, but then trudges on for hours (days?) more. (Magical sustenance? Yeah, sure.)
Despite those quibbles, it was a satisfying adventure. Perhaps I liked it as much as I did because I kept seeing parallels with my own novel, The Locksmith : Something valuable is hidden so well its existence is forgotten. A magical entity may or may not be sentient. Magic is shaped by imagination and willpower. Powerful wishes take on a life of their own. Men in peril are rescued by women.
And finally, I learned that if I’m ever pulled into the world of the fae, I should bring along a butter knife…
Audience: Teens and up. Some pain and violence (there is, after all, a war on) but no sex or bad language.
This review was first published on This Need to Read
Claire Delaney, normal American teenager, wishes she could be a hero. She is immediately snatched out of her bedroom by a delightfully dangerous figure, transported into the world of the fae, and sent on a mission to rescue an imprisoned fairy. In the next few chapters of The Lord of Dreams, we follow the disoriented Claire as she wanders randomly through a kaleidoscopic and strangely barren dreamscape. Nothing makes much sense; the fae king who sends her into this world calls himself her villain and the other few characters she interacts with seem determined to insult her and avoid telling her anything useful. She does eventually find and rescue the fairy, without understanding who he is or why he was imprisoned.
I struggled with that bit, the first 20% or so of the book. I didn’t like not understanding what was going on, and it annoyed me that Claire never stopped to ask herself why she should obey the fae king’s order if he was the villain. She seemed passive, letting herself be pushed around and not thinking things through. I was about to toss the book on the Did Not Finish pile, when things changed. For a few chapters the story bounces back and forth between strange dreams and normal life. Claire grows up and is in grad school when the fae come to her again, asking for her help. They are at war, their king—the nightmare figure from her dreams—has been captured, and he had predicted that she would be the one to rescue him.
From then on, the story’s focus is more clear, and I devoured the rest of the book in one Sunday afternoon and evening. It’s a nice combination of heroic quest, self-discovery, and gentle romance set in the world of the Seelie and Unseelie from the folklore of the British Isles.
Claire improves, acting with more agency, learning to ask the right questions, and overcoming her initial prejudice against the fae king. By a third of the way through, I had also learned to roll with unanswered questions. I did eventually get answers, but some of them were a long time coming. That was OK, as the gist of the story was about Claire making sense of this strange world she’s been thrown into, and understanding the full import of the breathtaking gamble the king has made. If we’re not a bit disoriented, too, how can we appreciate the mental leaps she has to make?
The story was not entirely successful. In particular, Claire’s relationship with her family was unsatisfying. I wish that plot thread had either been given more attention or dropped. Concern over the deprivations she was suffering from being unable to eat or drink anything in the world of the fae kept pulling me out of the story, too. In Chapter 4 she’s about to collapse from dehydration, but then trudges on for hours (days?) more. (Magical sustenance? Yeah, sure.)
Despite those quibbles, it was a satisfying adventure. Perhaps I liked it as much as I did because I kept seeing parallels with my own novel, The Locksmith : Something valuable is hidden so well its existence is forgotten. A magical entity may or may not be sentient. Magic is shaped by imagination and willpower. Powerful wishes take on a life of their own. Men in peril are rescued by women.
And finally, I learned that if I’m ever pulled into the world of the fae, I should bring along a butter knife…
Audience: Teens and up. Some pain and violence (there is, after all, a war on) but no sex or bad language.
This review was first published on This Need to Read
January 13, 2019
An Alice in Wonderland retelling that takes us through the land of the Fae and asks the question of what it means to be the villain.
“Lord of Dreams” finds Claire lonely and desperate for a way out of her life and into a world where she is the hero and before she knows it the Fae King is in her room and sending her on a quest that leaves her stumbling around the unknown and surrounded by new faces without any idea which could be friends or foes.
This is very much a through the looking glass Alice in Wonderland type book with a girl falling into a world and questioning the power of her dreams as she tries to complete her task and return home but unlike Alice and her counterparts this world isn’t nearly as enjoyable even if it is twice as deadly.
I liked the concept of Claire and her villain and what we learn about their history over the course of the book and it could have been something incredible if the characters themselves weren’t so confined in this sort of stereotype of the girl with no idea what’s going on but somehow manages to make those older and stronger than herself cower and flee and the dark fantasy guy who doesn’t give any answers and has heart eyes just in time for the climax but their chemistry apart from those few moments are practically nonexistent so it becomes hard to root for one or the other.
I also feel like maybe part of the problem is that this feels like it’s written for the younger side of the YA crowd so maybe it’s because I’m a bit older that a lot of it seemed very juvenile which to a point made sense in the beginning but once the main character and I became the same age it started to get a little ridiculous and not in the fun fantasy filled way.
If I remember I read this book by the end of the year or heck even by March I’ll be surprised but for the most part this was a journey I wish I hadn’t gone on.
“Lord of Dreams” finds Claire lonely and desperate for a way out of her life and into a world where she is the hero and before she knows it the Fae King is in her room and sending her on a quest that leaves her stumbling around the unknown and surrounded by new faces without any idea which could be friends or foes.
This is very much a through the looking glass Alice in Wonderland type book with a girl falling into a world and questioning the power of her dreams as she tries to complete her task and return home but unlike Alice and her counterparts this world isn’t nearly as enjoyable even if it is twice as deadly.
I liked the concept of Claire and her villain and what we learn about their history over the course of the book and it could have been something incredible if the characters themselves weren’t so confined in this sort of stereotype of the girl with no idea what’s going on but somehow manages to make those older and stronger than herself cower and flee and the dark fantasy guy who doesn’t give any answers and has heart eyes just in time for the climax but their chemistry apart from those few moments are practically nonexistent so it becomes hard to root for one or the other.
I also feel like maybe part of the problem is that this feels like it’s written for the younger side of the YA crowd so maybe it’s because I’m a bit older that a lot of it seemed very juvenile which to a point made sense in the beginning but once the main character and I became the same age it started to get a little ridiculous and not in the fun fantasy filled way.
If I remember I read this book by the end of the year or heck even by March I’ll be surprised but for the most part this was a journey I wish I hadn’t gone on.
September 27, 2019
I came into this book with high hopes and left disappointed.
I’m no stranger to the whole “fae” niche, so I love reading stories that draw from the mischievous and truthfully sly faery categorization. Unfortunately, while this story definitely incorporated some of those elements, the way the book was written was incredibly hard to get through.
First off, the first 150 pages or so are completely ripped from The Labyrinth movie. The entire premise of the book is based off the whole “dream” concept and reads like a fanfiction of the movie if Sarah and Jareth ended up together. Of course, the author couldn’t make MC’s love interest be truly the villain so in comes more of the plot.
While I did like how the author inserted iron and the importance of perspective in the story, these little details weren’t enough to make up for a severely lacking plot and odd writing style. There were so many convenient time skips for random lengths that I felt they were cop-outs more than anything. Basically, the author didn’t want to write about the MC’s recovery or any of the ‘non-interesting’ parts, so skipped over everything to get to the fast-paced, not entirely logical action.
I’m no stranger to the whole “fae” niche, so I love reading stories that draw from the mischievous and truthfully sly faery categorization. Unfortunately, while this story definitely incorporated some of those elements, the way the book was written was incredibly hard to get through.
First off, the first 150 pages or so are completely ripped from The Labyrinth movie. The entire premise of the book is based off the whole “dream” concept and reads like a fanfiction of the movie if Sarah and Jareth ended up together. Of course, the author couldn’t make MC’s love interest be truly the villain so in comes more of the plot.
While I did like how the author inserted iron and the importance of perspective in the story, these little details weren’t enough to make up for a severely lacking plot and odd writing style. There were so many convenient time skips for random lengths that I felt they were cop-outs more than anything. Basically, the author didn’t want to write about the MC’s recovery or any of the ‘non-interesting’ parts, so skipped over everything to get to the fast-paced, not entirely logical action.
April 13, 2019
First of all, the cover is amazing!I didn't know what to expect from this book.I am just adding it in my TBR because of it's beauty. Shame on me~
The story was very puzzling. I feel like I'm reading a retelling of Alice in Wonderland/Nutcracker but with it's own unique plot.I was confuse with all the dream jumping here and there. The King with his riddle words like a mad hatter.
I almost didn't want to continue but I gave it a chance cuz it seems I would regret if I didn't finish a beautiful book.So I did continue and I love it.
After continuing, everything came to make sense. I like the fact that the story shows the development of our MC,Claire. From a cry baby,to a Hero.
Can you imagine..the King has been in her dreams from when she was a child until she was an adult.Full filing her wish. Oh my..what would I do in that situation.
Anyway..The ending was beautiful and I am happy I finish it.Though I wish it would continue.
The story was very puzzling. I feel like I'm reading a retelling of Alice in Wonderland/Nutcracker but with it's own unique plot.I was confuse with all the dream jumping here and there. The King with his riddle words like a mad hatter.
I almost didn't want to continue but I gave it a chance cuz it seems I would regret if I didn't finish a beautiful book.So I did continue and I love it.
After continuing, everything came to make sense. I like the fact that the story shows the development of our MC,Claire. From a cry baby,to a Hero.
Can you imagine..the King has been in her dreams from when she was a child until she was an adult.Full filing her wish. Oh my..what would I do in that situation.
Anyway..The ending was beautiful and I am happy I finish it.Though I wish it would continue.
January 16, 2023
Firstly, the cover is gorgeous! Secondly, I enjoyed The Lord of Dreams. It was creative, well written, and I love how chaotic the fairy (faerie?) world was.
Claire did get on my nerves some, and I think the Lord of Dreams said best why:
"Surprise flashed across his face. “You persist in finding offense where none is meant."
I felt that in my soul when the Lord of Dreams said that.
I was also confused at times, what was going on, and if Claire remembered all her dreams or just some. But I think the confusion fit the story, because in the fae world nothing is as it seems.
What I loved most about this book was that it's a clean read. It's so hard to find a good fae book, that captures the chaos and creepiness of the fae, but is still clean.
Content: no swearing, no sex, nothing too gruesome
Claire did get on my nerves some, and I think the Lord of Dreams said best why:
"Surprise flashed across his face. “You persist in finding offense where none is meant."
I felt that in my soul when the Lord of Dreams said that.
I was also confused at times, what was going on, and if Claire remembered all her dreams or just some. But I think the confusion fit the story, because in the fae world nothing is as it seems.
What I loved most about this book was that it's a clean read. It's so hard to find a good fae book, that captures the chaos and creepiness of the fae, but is still clean.
Content: no swearing, no sex, nothing too gruesome
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews